PSY2301.
001—CV Introduction to Psychology—Fall 2009
Green Hall 4.208, Monday, Wednesday & Friday 1:30- 2:20 PM
Instructor Contact Information
Dr. James C. Bartlett Dr. Duane Buhrmester
GR 4.520; 972-883-2079 GR 4.532; 972-883-2352
jbartlet@utdallas.edu buhrmes@utdallas.edu
Office hours: Wed. 12:30-1:30 and by appointment Office hours: Mon. 12:30-1:30 and by appointment
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Prerequisites: Admission to CV Honors Program
Course Description:
This course introduces students to the phenomena, principles,
and theories of psychology. Psychologists study how biological,
cognitive, social, and cultural factors interact to determine how
we develop our amazing capacity for complex behavior,
emotions, and cognitions. Psychologists seek to understand why
and how risk factors lead some individuals to suffer from
psychological disorders, whereas others are able to be resilient in
the face of adversity. This course is equivalent to the regular
section of Introduction to Psychology taught at UTD. However,
as it is an honors (Collegium V) offering, it differs from the
standard version in four essential respects:
• Class sessions will involve relatively more active discussion
and demonstration and relatively less lecture on material
available in the text.
• Supplementary readings will be chosen specifically to foster
creative and critical thinking about psychological concepts and
phenomena, and relations among different concepts and
phenomena.
• The papers will be evaluated with less weight given to mastery
of content, and more weight given to the quality and originality
of observation and argument.
Student Learning Objectives:
After completing the course, students should be able to:
1.1 Describe and explain the nature of psychology as a scientific
discipline.
1.2 Describe and analyze major theoretical perspectives and
overarching themes of psychology and their historical
development.
1.3 Describe, apply, and analyze five selected content areas
within psychology.
2.1 Identify and explain different research methods used by
psychologists.
2.2 Explain and apply basic statistical analyses and employ
critical thinking to evaluate the appropriateness of
conclusions derived from their use.
3.1 Use critical thinking to evaluate popular media and scholarly
literature.
4.1 Demonstrate effective skill writing in case reports and reports
of statistical analysis and their interpretation.
5.1 Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings
to issues in everyday life.
5.2 Identify appropriate applications of psychology to mental
health and organizational problems.
80.1 Explain and apply major theoretical and scholarly
approaches, empirical findings, and historical trends in a
social/behavioral science.
80.2 Explain and apply basic research methods in a
social/behavioral science.
80.3 Apply modes of critical thinking used in a social/behavioral
science.
Required Textbook and Materials:
th
Gleitman, H., Reisberg, D., & Gross, J. (2007). Psychology. (7
Ed.) New York: Norton.
Assigned readings can be found using WebCT and through the
UTD library electronic reserves.
Exams and Assignments:
Exams: We will have four non-cumulative exams based on the
lectures and reading, which will include multiple choice,
matching, and short answer essay questions. In addition, some
exams will include short answer, fill-in or brief thought-provoking
essay questions that will be announced in class the week prior to
the exam. Material from lectures, readings, and discussion
sessions will appear on the exams.
Papers: We will require 2 brief papers, both of which will arise
out of activities in the discussion sessions.
Class Presentations. Students will lead class discussions about
articles that all students have read. Topics and dates will be
assigned in class.
Attendance: Attendance records will be kept and at the time
final grades are assigned, your record of attendance will be
reviewed.
Methods of Evaluation:
Grading is based on a set of a priori criteria: 90% correct for A’s,
80% for B’s, 60% for C’s, and 50% for D’s. In case we find that
our tests were unusually difficult we may relax these criteria.
Grades will be based on the total number of points across the
course, with attendance taken into consideration when point
totals fall near grade cut points. The four exams will count 60% of
the grade, the two papers and class presentation taken together
30%, and class attendance 10%.
Answer Forms: Exam System II, Form 229630
Course & Instructor Policies
DON'T MISS AN EXAM! Make-up exams will be given only if:
(a) you were seriously ill and have verifiable documentation from
a physician, or (b) you were detained the day and time of the
exam, or (c) you made arrangements prior to the exam to attend
an urgent family affair (e.g., funeral). In any of these cases, you
must notify one of the professors in advance of the scheduled
time of the exam (call and leave a voice-mail message if you can
do nothing else). Otherwise, you will receive an F. It is the
student's responsibility to make sure that an exam is made
up within one week of the scheduled time. Beware, make-up
exams are designed to be more comprehensive to compensate
for having more study time.
 These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
Date Topic Reading
Aug 21 Introduction/Orientation
24 The breadth of psychological research. In-class 2-min. reports on articles Ch. 1, pp 1-12
26 Scientific method in psychology. Quiz and in-class exercise Ch. 1, pp 13-33
28 Evolutionary Roots of Behavior. Quiz and in-class exercise Ch. 2, pp 39-64
31 Brain, behavior and mind: The architecture of the brain and nervous system
2 Brain, behavior and mind (Film) Ch. 3
4 Brain, behavior and mind: Neurons, plasticity and hormones Ch. 3
7 Labor Day; NO class Ch. 3
9 Sensation: Psychophysics, detection and the active perceiver Ch. 4
11 Sensation: Hearing and other senses Ch. 4
14 Perception: Where is it? What is it? What is it doing? Ch. 5
16 Perception: From features to meaning; attention and the binding problem Ch. 5
18 Learning: Classic approaches – 1st project assigned Ch. 6
21 Learning: Biological influences and brain processes Ch. 6
23 Review
25 Exam #1
28 Memory: Acquisition, storage and retrieval Ch. 7
30 Varieties and systems of memory; false memories and illusions of memory Ch. 7
Oct 2 Statistics in psychology – 1st paper assignment Appendix A4-A12; A12-A15
5 Language: How language is acquired (Film) Ch. 9
7 Language: The nature and structure of language; how we comprehend Ch. 9
9 Language acquisition; language, memory and thought Ch. 9
12 Thinking: Representations and processes of thought Ch. 8
14 Thinking: Reasoning and executive control – 1st paper due Ch. 8
16 Intelligence: Psychometric & information processing approaches Ch. 14
19 Intelligence: Varieties of intelligence and heretability Ch. 14
21 Review
23 Exam # 2
26 How does intelligence grow? Ch. 10 pp 357-375
28 Piagetian demonstration Ch. 10, pp 375-393
30 Do parents shape who we are? Ch. 11 pp 397-409
Nov 2 Do parents … continued Harris Reading
4 What’s the best way to parent? [#8. Is praise harmful to kids?] Ch. 11 pp 409-433
6 Could Freud be right? Ch. 15, pp 566-581
9 Name that Defense Mechanism 15 Dora Reading
11 Are other approaches to personality more useful? Ch. 15 pp 553-566,581-591
13 Catch up and review [#4. Are humans naturally violent?]
16 Exam # 3
19 Attitudes and their vicissitudes Ch. 12, pp 437-462
20 Behaving in groups [#17. Do video games cause violence?] Ch. 13, 480-501
23 Zimbardo Prison Film
25 Insanity and its classification; 1st Paper Assigned [#3. Milgram unethical?] Insane Reading Ch.16 p 595-605
27 Thanksgiving Break- NO Class
30 Disorders of mind and behavior Ch. 16, pp 605-632
Dec 2 Return from madness (film)
4 Treating the mind [#12. Does ADHD exist?] Ch. 17, 635-646
7 Catching up & Review; 1st Paper Due
11 Final Exam at 11am, Friday (NOTE the final exam is in the MORNING)
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The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
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These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the
Professor.